by Griff Hosker
Erik’s voice carried down the drekar, “What would you have us do, Jarl?”
“Take us further out to sea. Arm yourselves and prepare to repel attack.” I walked down the gangway to Aiden who held my helmet and wolf skin.
Haaken was already dressed for war, “Think you it is Magnus Foresworn?”
“I do not know. That is why I will allow them to close. If it is then we will fight if not we will discourage them and sail for Siggi.”
Haaken shook his head, “It does not do to run away from a fight, Jarl Dragonheart.”
“You have known me long enough to know I run away from nothing. What would be gained if we fought them?”
“Honour! Glory!”
“And we would lose warriors. If we won then our enemies would lie in the sea with their treasure lost forever.”
Aiden fitted my helmet and then attached my wolf skin, “The Jarl is right, Haaken. We do not throw away lives needlessly. Erik can out run them.”
“But they will be encouraged to attack us closer to home.”
He could not see my face but I was smiling. It was the smile my enemies called my wolf smile. “And where is a wolf at its most dangerous? It is when it is in its den. Let them come. Their way home will be marked by their whitening bones.”
The two drekar were racing towards us. Erik skilfully put the steering board over. We were tantalisingly close to the prows of the two ships. Had they not been rowing they might have loosed arrows at us. “Karl, can you see Magnus Foresworn?”
Karl was at the mast head with Cnut Cnutson. His voice came down to me, “I do not see him Jarl and the rolled sails are not red.”
“Use your bows to discourage them. Go for the helmsmen.”
Snorri and Beorn the Scout picked up their bows and joined the boys in releasing arrows. The two drekar were just fifty paces away and the range was close. I saw that the arrows had struck home immediately. One of those with the steering board was pitched over the side when he was struck by two arrows. His falling body made the drekar veer to the right. The two ships were so close together that a collision was inevitable. The oars on both drekar were sheered as they struck. The arrows continued to fall. The drekar crashed into each other. I saw that the drekar on steering board side of the one we had hit was lower in the water. Its strakes had sprung. They would be lucky to get back to land. I saw the two captains shaking their fists at us. My men laughed as they took off their helmets. We would not be fighting this day.
We spent a night in Úlfarrston. Erik had discovered that one of the ropes on the rudder withy was weak. He was annoyed with himself for he had allowed the shipwrights to look to that. He was angry until I pointed out that it was better for it to happen close to home rather than at sea. “We are watched over, Erik. The spirits have given us this chance to make our ship whole before we face unknown waters.”
He smiled, “You are right, Jarl. It is just that I want our ship to be perfect.”
“She is. This delay does not hurt us. We have a night on land and we can be across the sea by late afternoon. It has happened for a reason.”
We left the next morning with our drekar repaired. Siggi’s ship was heavily laden and slowed us down. She carried timber, stone and iron. All were valued by the Hibernians and I hoped that we would make good trades. We had traded with Hakon the Bald the previous year. He had seemed quite happy to do so but he had served with Rorik and Magnus Klak in his youth. He might have reformed but I was still suspicious of him.
We sailed to Dyflin without shields on the side. We were going to trade. As we approached the river I had Karl and Cnut keep a good watch for a red sailed drekar. They reported none. There were longships in the river but they had their masts stepped. They were not yet ready for sea. We had left our home earlier than most ships.
We tied up first as the stubby knarr edged its way in to a berth. Already Viking merchants were making their way to the ship. My name was known and our goods were valued. There had been a time when we would have had to fight our way in but this time it seemed we were welcome. I let Siggi and Aiden haggle with the merchants. I awaited Hakon the Bald.
He looked the same as he came towards me. He was slightly heavier. I think his days of going a-Viking were long gone. He embraced me in a bear hug, “Jarl Dragonheart! It is good to see you.” He nodded towards my knarr. “I see you have come to trade. Do you have any of that fine wine from Frankia on board?”
“Sadly no. I fear I have worn out my welcome there. The Emperor of the Franks does not like me.”
Hakon laughed, “I know! I heard he has put a price on your head. He has a price on every Viking but there is a bounty of a thousand gold pieces for your head and wolf skin.”
I smiled, “I hope that you do not try to collect such a bounty Hakon the Bald.”
He looked offended, “I am insulted, Jarl! I thought we were friends!”
“And we are. And as a friend I would ask if you have seen Magnus the Foresworn. He has a ship with a red sail.”
He nodded, “ ‘The Red Snake’. Aye she was in a week since and just before winter the time before.”
“Where did he go? I seek him. He raided one of my jarls.”
“I think he sailed north to the islands close to the land of the Picts. He had been raiding further south, towards Wessex. I do not think he prospered.”
“How so?”
“Egbert’s men were waiting for him. He raided last year and was successful. He had two ships then. One was lost close to Wessex.” He leaned in, “He has a large crew on his ‘Snake’. He picked up most of the crew of the drekar he lost swelling his numbers. He is a dangerous young man. He is unpredictable.”
“Yet you showed him hospitality.”
He smiled, “He paid well. He must have had some success on his raids for he paid for everything with gold. You I welcome as a friend. He paid for his welcome.” He stroked his beard. “I did hear him say that the King of Northumbria was paying for warriors but that seemed unlikely. As you say he is not to be trusted. Who knows which of his words is the truth and which falsehoods? Will you stay?”
I knew that Hakon was as two faced as a Roman coin, “No my friend. When we have traded then I return to my home with the profits.”
“Yours is a rich land. You should keep watch that no one tries to take it from you.”
“Many have tried. Their bones help our crops grow well.”
He laughed, “That is what they say of you jarl. You are a good friend but a relentless and ruthless enemy. Fear not I covet not your land. This suits me. If I had more of that Vasconian wine then it would be perfect.”
Normally we would avoid sailing at night but I wanted to escort Siggi east as soon as possible. We left at dusk and kept the setting sun behind us. We used Siggi’s ship as a navigational aid and, when we saw the coast loom up, we bade them farewell and headed north along the coast of my land. The wind still favoured us and we made good time. It was late when we pulled in at the river close to Thorkell’s Stad. Arne was my jarl there now. His was a lonely land for the Picts and the Scots who lived north of him were fond of raiding as were the Hibernians. He had to keep a good watch on the coast and the river. Although it was late his sentries spied us and we were welcomed into his hall.
“Welcome, Jarl Dragonheart. This is an unexpected visit. I hope it does not mean there is danger. We have prospered over the winter.”
“No, my friend. We are hunting Magnus the Foresworn and we heard that he was heading north to the islands.”
“Does he have a red sail with a dragon upon it?”
“Aye?”
“My fisherman spied him some many days ago. He was hugging the coast and heading north.”
“He did not land then and raid? He knows the land for he and his family lived up Lang’s Dale before I banished him.”
“No, Jarl. He did not but we are ever watchful these days.”
“I will be sending goods with Coen Ap Pasgen to trade. If there are any goods w
hich you need then let me know.”
“We need for little but if there is any seal oil then we would appreciate that.”
“I will have Siggi find some for you.”
We left the next morning. The night with Arne would be the last hospitality that we could expect. The jarls who lived in the islands were unpredictable. They spent much of the time squabbling and fighting amongst themselves. At other times they would join forces and raid the men of Strathclyde. I could see why Magnus the Foresworn would seek an island of his own. He could become powerful in the thousands of islands which dotted the coast. A cunning young man he had the ability to take advantage of a power struggle between others. The problem would be finding him in the myriad of islands which lay off the coast.
As we passed the land of the Scots I joined Aiden and Erik at the stern. “Now we begin the game. Where do we start Aiden? What do the spirits say?”
He smiled, “I have to be closer to our enemy before the spirits can aid me but Erik and I have been discussing where he might go.” He unrolled one of his maps. He was skilled at making charts. “This chart has many gaps in it. We sailed here only once but there are four or five large islands. Some are almost as big as Mann. I do not think he would choose one of the larger ones. Perhaps we need to visit Ljoðhús. It is a large island and the King of Norway is said to have some influence there. We could try the port on the island. The jarl there might be able to give us information. However we know not if the jarl is friendly or not.”
I had had trouble many years earlier and fought a hothead who had lived in the islands. My name was known “It is a starting place. Set course for Ljoðhús, Erik.”
It was getting on for dusk when we saw Ljoðhús. It was a large island and there was a stockade and palisade around the huts. They knew how to defend. The question was, against whom? I saw three drekar bobbing in the bay as well as three small knarr. We were arriving without shields but that did not guarantee a good welcome. I made sure that we came in slowly so that, by the time we had stopped, there was a group of warriors to meet and to greet us. I had no doubt that my ship was recognised but I had made many enemies in my life and I did not know if one of them was here. At least Magnus’ ship was not in the harbour.
I stepped ashore flanked by Aiden and Haaken. The warrior who approached me had a long scar running down his face. It looked as though it had been stained when it was healing for it was a bluish purple colour and his arms were covered in warriors’ bands. He had fought, successfully, it seemed.
He held out his hand, “I am Thorfinn Blue Scar.” He gestured towards my drekar. “From your sail you must be Jarl Dragonheart, the Ulfheonar.”
“I am.”
“I see that you come in peace but you come uninvited to my island.”
“I did not know that you forbade visitors. Is this the King’s will?”
I noticed a frown appear, “The King is far away in Norway and he trusts me to watch out for his interests here on Ljoðhús.”
“Then I am a timely visitor. We are looking for trade with this land. You have fine seal oil and seal skins.”
“We do. But what can you offer in trade?”
“We have timber.” I waved a hand around the island which plainly had no trees. “I can see that you have a shortage.” He nodded. “And we have stone.”
“We have stone aplenty.”
“And there are the metals, iron and copper as well as weapons.”
That convinced him. I saw his eyes widen when I mentioned them. “You have, as I recall, a sword touched by the Gods. Are all your swords as magical?”
“I would be foresworn if I said so and I only speak the truth. The sword was made by my smith and it was a powerful weapon before Odin touched it. Now it is magical. I cannot promise the same for all Bjorn’s swords. But they are the finest swords this side of Frankia. Some would say in the whole world but that would be boasting.”
I was watching the reaction of the others and they were impressed. I think that Thorfinn Blue Scar was trying to remain impassive but he failed. He nodded, “Then you are welcome. We would dearly like to trade for fine weapons. Ask your warriors to come ashore and we will show them Norse hospitality.”
Chapter 2
The warrior hall was very long and could accommodate a large number of warriors. Now that he knew what we had to trade Thorfinn softened a little and became more welcoming. “What has happened to your other trading partners?”
I smiled; the stories of my exploits in the Holy Roman Empire and Wales, not to mention Wessex were the stuff of legends. He had heard of my battles. “Let us just say that I have upset one or two former friends. I am my own man and I bow the knee to neither king nor prince.”
I saw him bridle a little. I think he thought I was insulting him. “The King gives me free rein here.”
“I am sure he does. It is just that I could not do what you do. We are different. I am not Norse born. My blood is that of the people of Britain and Saxon.” I shrugged. “It makes me who I am.”
We sat at his table and his thralls brought us foaming ale. “I hear your son stole the daughter of the King of Wessex and you took the daughter of the King of the Welsh.”
“Exaggerated stories. Both ladies were unhappy. We merely gave them transport to a place of safety.”
He laughed, “You must have balls the size of a bull.”
I laughed, “I fear no man that is true.”
“So when do you want the trading to begin?”
It was a little brusque but I did not mind. Trading was incidental. “As soon as I return home I will send my knarr. She carries far more cargo than I can. I did not want to send her here unannounced. I did not wish to offend you or risk pirates.”
“I keep my waters safe.”
It was the opening I had sought. “That is good for I seek a pirate who might have raided you. He used to be known as Magnus Slender Leg and he has a drekar with a red sail. Now he is Magnus the Foresworn and he is not to be trusted.”
He nodded, “I know of whom you speak. He has called in before now offering his sword and his crew. You said used to be known as. What did you say his name was now?”
“Magnus the Foresworn. He and his men betrayed me after they had sworn to follow me.”
Thorfinn clutched his hammer of Thor. No one would contemplate fighting alongside such a man unless they were desperate. “He has two islands which he uses. As no one lives on them I allow him to use them but I have little to do with the man. Now that you have told me his true name then I will close my ports to him. Such nithings are beneath contempt.”
“Where are these islands?”
“You will have passed one on your journey north, Dyrøy, deer island. It is a large island but save for a few deer there is little to make a man farm there. The land grows little but bracken and heather. The other is not far from here, Bjarnarøy, it is on the other side of this island. But he is not there.”
“Then he will be at the other island, further south.”
“He could be. I will ask Thorgeir the Clumsy. He has a stad which overlooks Bjarnarøy. He will know.” He waved over a barrel of a man. I saw that he only had three fingers on his left hand. I guessed at the reason he had been thus named. “Jarl Dragonheart seeks Magnus Slender Leg although his real name is Magnus the Foresworn. Do you know where he is?”
Thorgeir had already drunk much and his speech was not clear. “He is not on the islands. I heard that he was going to sail to Norway and offer his sword to the King of Norway.” He shrugged, “Although why the King should want a runt like him is beyond me. But he seemed full of such tales. To hear him you would think that every king wished his sword. He even said that he was a friend of the King of Northumbria, Eanred. ”
“There you are, Jarl. Perhaps he has fled your wrath. You have a reputation for vengeance and pursuing your enemies to the ends of the earth and beyond.”
I nodded, “Those who hurt me and mine do not live overlong.”
He laughed, “You may not have Norse blood but you have a Norse heart. Stay this night. I warm to you.”
I had intended to follow Magnus but it seemed it would be a fruitless journey. We would leave the next day and return home. “Very well. I will just go and tell my ship’s crew that we stay.”
I went with Aiden back to my ship. I waved Erik over for he had anchored in the bay. He and his crew used a couple of oars to bring her over. “We are staying the night, Erik . I shall send some food for you and your crew.”
“You need not, Jarl. We have spotted a beach across the bay. It is better sheltered than here. I think they do not use it for it can only accommodate one drekar but we saw some seals. Who knows we may even hunt one. I like seal meat. We will camp there. We will be safer for it is in the lee of the island. I smelled a change in the wind.”
I peered in the direction he had pointed, “I cannot see the island.”
“No, Jarl. It is hidden by that ugly little rock of an island, they call it Sgeotasaigh.”
“If you are certain?”
“Aye. I think we will be safer. We will be here by dawn. Fear not.” Erik was close to his crew. He had more crew now than we normally carried and the eight of them, mainly boys, were a tightly knit band. They would be safe. With Karl and Cnut Cnutson he had a crew he could rely upon.
Thorfinn feasted us well. Neither Aiden nor I tried to match him and his men in their drinking and we were rewarded with much knowledge about the King of Norway and those who lived on these islands. It seemed that the Scots and the Picts had begun to flex their muscles and there was a warlord called Alpín mac Echdach who was carving out his own kingdom on the mainland. He had been raiding some of the smaller islands and taking the people there as slaves. As I listened to Thorfinn speaking of how he would easily defeat him I could not help smiling for this Pictish warlord sounded a little like me. He was making his land safe for his people.
We all slept together in the huge warrior hall. It had been some years since I had done so. I was used to being alone. Aiden helped me off with my armour and I slept with my sword next to me. I slept badly that night. Perhaps it was the fact that I had not found Magnus and that it was unlikely I would in the near future. Or perhaps it was the mass of heaving, flatulent Vikings who surrounded me. Whatever the reason I rose, well before dawn, and went outside to make water. Aiden ghosted next to me.